In a presumably intentional move, Christina goes from ‘dirrty’ to ‘beautiful’…
Beautiful, by Christina Aguilera (her 4th and final #1)
2 weeks, 2nd – 16th March 2003
She knew what she was doing, representing all the facets of freshly-‘Stripped’ Xtina (the album’s third single was ‘Fighter’). And sonically, this is completely different from ‘Dirrty’s mucky synths and horny beats. It’s a pretty, piano-led ballad, very Beatlesy, with growing strings lending some orchestral grandeur.
It’s very pleasant, very grown-up, and a worthy riposte to those who tut-tutted after hearing its predecessor. This is one tune that everyone from primary school kids to grandma could sing along to. It also stands out in the charts of early 2003, as clearly being recorded on actual instruments, with little to no obvious electronic embellishment. And Christina manages to reign in her over-singing fairly well. It’s still there in dribs and drabs throughout, because she can’t help herself, but when she finally does let rip in the middle-eight, it’s an almost triumphant moment.
It’s the words of this song that, ironically, bring me down today. Yes, ‘Beautiful’ has gone down as a modern anthem of empowerment, still very well regarded by the LGBT community; but in walking the tightrope between ‘affecting’ and ‘trite’, I’d say this topples over more towards the latter. You are beautiful, No matter what they say… Maybe I’m just immune to the charms of this sort of song, as I’ve mentioned before, but I struggle to see how lyrics so basic could make anyone feel anything.
The video was more thought-provoking, featuring characters struggling with anorexia, and racism, as well as their gender and sexuality. In fact, this is two number ones in a row to feature a gay kiss in the video. The future is well and truly here! I was seventeen when this came out (a few months before I, too, came out), surely a prime age to be inspired by its message. But what I remember most was squirming with embarrassment when the video came on, worried that friends would make a connection between the two guys kissing and me.
Like Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ almost a decade later, the people that are left feeling the most positive from songs like this are the artists performing them, who get a nice sense of self-satisfaction. And as much as I like Christina, and love Gaga, and think both songs are good, the messages behind them are the least impactful aspects for me. Though it is worth noting, perhaps, that in 2002 Christina couldn’t actually use words like ‘gay’ and ‘transgender’ in her lyrics, whereas Gaga could in 2011.
As with several of the songs on ‘Stripped’, ‘Beautiful’ was written by Linda Perry, of 4 Non Blondes fame. Perry had previously worked with Pink, and had intended this song for her, but was blown away by Christina’s demo. This added to a growing beef between Pink and Aguilera, who had already argued over a chair on the set of the ‘Lady Marmalade’ video. And in all honesty, two pop divas fighting over furniture probably has much resonance within the gay community than lyrics about being ‘beautiful no matter what they say’…
This was Christina’s final UK number one, but she was good for ten further Top 10 singles through to the mid-2010s, including three more from ‘Stripped’. And for those of you who see her over-singing as a fun quirk rather than a criminal act, may I point you towards the album’s final single, the caterwauling ‘The Voice Within’, which made #9 towards the end of 2003.
The UK Number Ones Blog 
It’s been many years since I’ve heard the word “caterwauling”. Thanks for making me laugh. Christina Aguilera and Pink arguing over furniture? Imagine that. Take care.
Maybe a hot take, but while I don’t hate this song, I’ve never cared for it that much. I might actually dislike it more than you do and you seem pretty lukewarm on it. It’s always gone through one ear and the other. It’s undeniably impressive especially her vocals, but it leaves me feeling…not empty or cold, just unchanged. I will take it over most of these British boy band ballads since Xtina is undeniably a fantastic singer and the chorus is iconic (though the word subtle is not one she is aware of it seems). I think part of the reason Britney Spears ended up surpassing Xtina in terms of cultural relevance and sales and popularity is that Britney felt a lot more attainable and real and relatable – not just in the girl next door image but she wasn’t a technically good singer or artist – despite being an inferior talent (in terms of her talent as a musician, she has some terrific songs, but she was a product, let’s be honest). Like, I relistened to “Born to Make You Happy” and in addition to being a much better song, I get more feel from Britney than Christina on this song despite her being an undeniably inferior singer to Xtina.
Her best ballad that’s for sure, and I liked it a lot at the time, less so these days, but she is at least trying to restrain herself vocally. A great singer knows sometimes less is more, and the song should govern the performance, not the other way round. I can see the Linda Perry vibes, and applaud bringing back caterwauling into vocabulary 🙂
One of the less attractive sides to gay pop culture is the willingness to endorse behaviour of pop divas who can fall out over a chair, or nicking dancers for tours, and adoration of things bitchy and gossipy. It’s not something I can identify with when it just makes the stars look like privileged petty rich pop (and rap) stars, undermining themselves and celebrating the pettiness in pouty song lyrics. Not that I was aware of it then though and I generally like Pink whereas Christina has always been more of an occasional surprise treat. I’m guessing that’s why UK actors get so many jobs using American accents these days, cheaper and not so many ego issues as we generally are less likely aspiring to self-worship! Oops…
I will say that while some pop ‘feuds’ can be tiresome (Katy Perry and Taylor Swift), I am on the whole a fan of stars acting like stars. Not in a horrifically entitled way, and not being ugly towards members of the public, but in a way that shows they enjoy being famous. Nowadays there’s such a need for authenticity, for famous people to be ‘just like us’, driven by social media. (That’s why we’re left with Ed Sheeran as the biggest pop star of the decade…) Bring back the divas, I say. Mariah Carey does it very well, and clearly enjoys playing a character with tongue firmly in cheek. So I’ll admit to enjoying the thought of Pink and Christina fighting over a chair, or All Saints splitting up over a dress… It’s like watching a soap, and is a distraction from the real horrors of the world.
All Saints split up over a dress!? 🙂 I would have put my money it was over one of ’em writing all the songs, oops. Quite timely, I’m about to buy the new Appleton track….
Legend has it they did… Over who got to wear one for a photoshoot. I’m sure it was the final straw and not the actual reason for the split. Or they just made the story up later because it was very on-brand, and the gays lapped it up 😄
Hah! Final straw seems more likely, once things have deteriorated to that extent it doesn’t take much to end it – Fleetwood Mac allegedly lost Lindsey Buckingham after a blazing rown between him and Stevie (again) when John McVie said “you’d better leave” (as in, the house/recording studio/whatever) and he took to mean the band. Sometimes one needs to be very clear what one means, as I found out once with a badly worded text to save 10p on pay as you go….ouch!